Cardiovascular effects of bolus-administered vasodilators in elderly patients with atherosclerotic disease: A comparative study of nitroglycerin and prostaglandin E₁

Abstract

To evaluate the hemodynamic effects of vasodilators in elderly patients with atherosclerotic disease, systemic hemodynamics were examined during cardiac catheterization study. After the intravenous bolus injection of nitroglycerin (NTG, 5 μg/kg, n = 20) or prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁, 0.2 μg/kg, n = 20), significant reduction of mean arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and rate-pressure product (RPP) was observed. In contrast, cardiac index and stroke index were not significantly deteriorated in either group. In conclusion, bolus-administered NTG and PGE₁ had beneficial vasodilating effects without harmful impact on cardiac functions in elder patients with atherosclerotic disease.